Honoring Alliance as the Carnation City, the Greater Alliance Carnation Festival is a week of parades, food and fun throughout the city.

A Teen Battle of the Bands event and Princess Tea Party will help kick off this year’s festival, followed by an outdoor three-day Rib Fest outside of the Carnation Mall. The Rib Fest is comprised of food vendors, a business expo, musical entertainment and more!

The festival is officially inaugurated Sunday with a kick-off parade from Union to Glamorgan. That evening, the Carnation Queen is crowned and her court is selected.

Monday through Wednesday, there are numerous activities each day. Activities include sporting events for children, a bowling tournament for seniors, used book sale, ice cream socials, 5K race and more!

Carnation Days in the Park begins on Wednesday and runs through Saturday and features food, craft displays and free live entertainment. A shuttle is available to take festival-goers from Alliance High School and other designated pick up sites to the park. Thursday, the Carnation Festival takes off with hot air balloons lifting off over the park.

Friday through Sunday, additional activities are scheduled for everyone, including a pet show, style show, nature hikes and a community gospel songfest.

Saturday’s grand parade heads east on State Street and proceeds north on Union Avenue to Broadway Avenue. Later that evening, fireworks light up the sky over Silver Park. Glamorgan Castle, Haines House and Mabel Hartzell Historical Home offer free tours throughout the week.

Additional activities include a used book sale at Rodman Public Library, ice cream socials, musical events, a photography contest, auto show, community breakfast and a vintage baseball game.

For up-to-date information and coverage of the festival, visit The Review.